Score breaker



E. AMYX ET AL SCORE BREAKER Oct. 13, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 26, 1946 INVENTORS K 'mwa a ATTORNEYS.

SN N N M- Patented Oct. 13, 1953 SCORE BREAKER Elmer Amyx, Cincinnati, and Joseph Kramer,

Reading, Ohio, assignors, by mesne assignments, to The International Paper Box Machine Company, a corporation of New Hampshire Application July 26, 1946, Serial No. 686,330

9 Claims. 1

Our invention relates to the manufacture of tubular paperboard cartons which, as is wellknown, are shipped to the user in a knockeddown or collapsed tubular condition. For certain uses of such cartons, particularly on erecting, filling, and sealing machines, it is highly desirable that all scores between the enclosing body Walls be pre-broken. It will be recognized by the skilled worker in the art that the operation of folding and tubing the carton blank results in the bending of it upon only two of the longitudinal score lines, and the remaining longitudinal score lines are normally not bent or broken until the time of the'erection of the tubular structure.

Yet again, in the use of cartons with the socalled Van Buren ears, such as those herein described, it is highly advantageous to pre-break the carton on those score lines by which the ears are articulated to the closure flaps.

'Carton folding and gluing equipment has been sive, and comparatively few of them have appeared in commercial use. The majority of folding and gluing machines have a single folding section between the feed hopper and the stacker and there has hitherto been no way by which score breaking could be done on such machines. So far as we are aware, there has never been any equipment which would pre-break all of the longitudinal scores of a tubular carton and also the scores for'theVan Buren ears.

It is an object of our. invention to provide a mechanism which will pro-break all of the longitudinal scores of a tubular carton structure including-those for the Van Buren ears; and it is a further object of the invention to provide mechanism which may be used on the standard carton folding and 'gluingmachines, which, as indicated; are not built to contain an extra foldin'g station; 7,

Thus it is an object of our invention to accomplish the score breaking functions referred to on standard machines and at speeds, equal to the bestspeeds of such machines when operated Without'score breaking equipment. It. is our object to provide equipment for attachmentto standard folding and gluing machines for the purposes set ific'ations, we accomplish by that construction and arrangement of parts, in those attachments, and by those modesof operation, of which we shall now describe an exemplary embodiment. Reference is made to the drawings froming a part hereof and in which:

Figure l is a partial plan view showing diagrammatically certain of the elements of standard folding and gluing machines and additional elements which go to make up our invention, there being illustrated in this figure also a tubular carton blank having the said Van Buren ears.

Figures 2 to 6 inclusive are end views of a carton blank illustrative of the various stages of folding accomplished by our mechanism.

Figure 7 is a plan view of a folder mechanism such as we employ for the breaking of the score of the glue lap, a counterpart of this mechanism being employed for the breaking of the scores of the outer Van Buren ears.

Figure 8 is a side elevation of the same mechanism.

Figure 9 is an end elevation thereof.

Figures 16 and 11 are sectional views taken respectively alon the section lines In and H in Figure 8.

Figure 12 is a plan view of an unfolding device for the glue lap.

Figure 13 is a side elevation thereof.

Figures 14 and 15' are respectively sectional views, of the same member taken along the section lines 14-44 and l5-l5 respectively of Figure 13.

Referring to Figure l, we have indicated a carton blank having enclosing body wallsl, 2, 3, 4 and a glue lap 5.. These members are articulated together by score lines 6, 1, Band 9 which are longitudinal scores in thelcarton blank on all of which the blank is bent or.broken in the practice of our invention. The carton. is of the so-called seal-end type.

Closure flaps (Band I! on the ends of wall I are provided as shown with the so-called Van Buren ears l8, i9, 25 and 2! which are articulated to the side edges of these flaps. Body walls.2, 3 and 4 have seal-end flaps of the usual .type excepting that the areas of the'flaps on the ends of wall 2 are diminished by the cutting away of the ears l8 and H], as Will'be evident from the drawing.

When a flat tubular carton hasubeen formed of the blank shown in Figure 1 and .has' been shipped to the user, it will be erected or squared up by automaticmechanism in'the operationoi which the pie-breaking of all longitudinal scores is important. In eifectinge closures, the smaller flaps on walls 2 and 4 will be folded first, whereupon flaps I6 and I1 will be folded. The respective ears are then bent over and glued against the side walls 2 and 4. In this operation is it important that the scores of the ears be pre-broken. The flaps on wall 3 are folded last and are secured to flaps I6 and I1 respectively.

Figure 1 illustrates diagrammatically certain elements of a carton folding and gluing machine, the side frames of which are indicated at 22 and 23. The carton blank illustrated may be thought of as forming part of a stack of such blanks in the conventional feed hopper. This feed hopper has adjustable side boards 24 and 25. The carton blanks will be fed one by one from the feed hopper into the machine, by mechanism which need not here be detailed, since it is well-known in the art. A portion of a feed roll for the purpose is indicated at 26. It will further be understood that when the cartons are fed from the feed hopper, they will be picked up in the machine by a suitable conveying mechanism and carried along through the machine while being acted upon by the various folding and gluing elements. Various conveying means, may be employed, but the usual conveyor comprises lower traveling belts (not illustrated) Hold-downs are employed to keep the carton blanks in contact with the belts as the blanks are moved through the machine. The standard folding and gluing equipment has two initial hold-down means in spaced relation, one

of them being illustrated in Figure 1 at 21. The other initial hold-down mechanism has been removed from the machine to permit the installation of certain apparatus elements of this invention.

The standard machine also includes a glue pot 28 equipped with a glue roller 29 serving to apply adhesive to the glue lap 5. The glue pot is located closely adjacent the feed hopper so as to act upon the cartons substantially as soon as they have been firmly engaged by the main conveying means.

Further, the standard machine, a short distance beyond the glue pot, is provided with a sword 30 and a stationary folding sweep 3I, the purpose of which is to fold over on the score line 8 the wall to which the glue lap is articulated. Still further in the machine, there is an overhead sword 32 and a stationary sweep or folder 33 which acts to fold over the body wall I on the score line 6, bringing the outer edge of the wall I against the adhesive coated glue lap. The machine may include pressure elements, indicated at 34 and 35, for pressing or tightening both of these folds; and it will include a suitable stacking mechanism (not illustrated) which will receive and stack the tubed cartons, subjecting them to pressure for a long enough period to permit the adhesive to set and form a good bond.

The feed hopper, the glue pot and the various known folding instrumentalities thus far described, are in the standard machine, located as closely together as can be done in view of the range of sizes of cartons which the machine is intended to handle. vThis gives a relatively short-coupled machine and one in which there is no room for the use of additional, similar folding instrumentalities for the breaking and unfolding of those longitudinal scores upon which the blank will not be folded when it isin tubed or knocked-down condition. We have found, however, that it is possible to break the scores on cartons in such a machine by the addition of certain instrumentalities which we shall hereinafter 4 describe. We provide means which will act to break over and then unfold the glue lap at one edge of the carton blank prior to the time the glue lap reaches the glue applying roller 29, without change in the position of the glue pot 28. We provide simultaneously acting means at the other edge of the blank to break over the Van Buren ears 2!! and 2|. It is not necessary to provide means for unfolding these ears, as will be evident. They unfold suificiently due to the resilience of the board, and any remaining angularity disappears in the stacker. Figure 2 illustrates the blank in the flat condition, while Figure 3 shows it with the glue lap 5 and the Van Buren ears 20 and 2| folded over through a full degrees.

We have found that it is possible to fold the blank along the score line I, thereby breaking this score, simultaneously with the application of adhesive to the unfolded glue lap, by means hereinafter detailed, this condition of the blank being illustrated in Figure 4. We have found that it is possible further to unfold walls I and 2 concurrently with the folding over of wall 4 for tubing. The remaining operation is the folding of wall I on score line 6 which is accomplished by the standard apparatus above referred to. It will be clear, however, that the folding of the blank on score line 6 will concurrently break the scores of the Van Buren ears I8 and I9. Figure 5 illustrates the blank with the wall 4 folded in. while Figure 6 illustrates the final tubed condition of the blank.

It will be clear that the sequence of operations just set forth involves a very rapid folding and unfolding of the glue lap 5 within a very short machine space. This is difficult, especially with cartons of large size and having correspondingly long glue laps. We accomplish it by the provision of folding means 36 located within the length of the side board 24 and most conveniently supported by this side board. The glue lap is folded through a full 165 degrees and is immediately unfolded by an element 31 prior to the time the lap reaches the glue roller 29 against which it is held by suitable overhead means (not shown). The available space is so short that, with cartons having long glue laps, the apparatus will usually be acting to fold one end of the lap in one direction while the other end of the lap is folded in the opposite direction. We have found this possible because of the relative narrowness of the lap and the manner of engagement of the carton in which the body wall 4 is essentially left free flex.

A somewhat similar problem exists atthe opposite side of the blank for the folding of the ears 20 and 2I, for, while these ears do not require to be unfolded, they must be folded through at least 165 and then released within approximately the same short space occupied by the folding means for the glue lap. Hence We employ within the length of the side board 25, and preferably mounted thereon, a folding mechanism indicated at 38.

As indicated above, we remove from the machine one of the customary two initial holddowns, leaving only the hold-down 21. Immediately following the foldingmeans 38, we provide a stationary sweep 38 and a sword 40, the latter lying along the score line I. The sweep serves to fold in walls I and 2 along this line; but in large cartons the presence of the hold-down mechanism 21 will prevent the folding over of walls I and 2 through a full 180. degrees and, indeed,

through a suflicient angularity to provide a proper breaking of the score 1. We overcome this difliculty by permitting the blank to bend reversely on the scoreline 6, a rail 4| being provided to hold the wall I substantially in the position shown in Figure 4. A truncated conical roller 42 is provided to enforce the folding of wall 2 to an angularity to wall 3 sufiicient to break the score 1 properly. The actual angularity may be somewhat varied in accordance with the size of the cartons being acted upon; but it has been found that folding on the score line I to an angularity of at least 165 degrees will accomplish a sufficient relaxation of the stiffness of the board along this line.

Approximately at the same machine position at which is located the sweep 3| for folding over the wall 4, we provide a sweep 43 which, engaging beneath wall 2, folds this wall and wall I outwardly again into a position substantially co-planar with the blank.

When walls I and 2 have been folded outwardly, the sword 32 engages wall 2 along score line 6 and sweep 33 folds wall I inwardly completing the tubing of the cartons. The bed of the machine during this folding serves to enforce the breaking of the scores of the ears I8 and 19 through 180 degrees. These ears will swing out again when the carton is released from the bed and the folding instrumentalities; but this is desirable.

Figures '7 to 11 inclusive relate to the folding means 36, it being noted that the folding means 38 has the same construction, but is of opposite hand. A main folding element 44 is provided with a nose, the forward end of which is thin and is extended downwardly, as at 45, so as to engage beneath the glue lap 5. The nose itself is made with a progressively tilting uppercontour, as will be seen in Figures '7 and 9, and which acts to tilt the glue lap upwardly. A sidewise extension 46 of the folding element carries a member 41 which lies along the score line 9 and acts as a sword to enforce the folding of the glue lap along its score line. The member 41 is notched out, as indicated in Figure 8 at 48; and the sidewise extension 46 is configured, as will be evident from Figures 8 and 10, to bend the glue lap to and beyond a vertical position. The member 41 is slightly displaced angularly from the exact parallelism with the main body of the member 44; and the portion 46 acts to bend the glue lap partially over the portion 49 of the member 41, as will be seen in Figure 11, to the extent that the folded glue lap can ride under a pair of rollers 50 and which occupy progressively lower positions. By these means the glue lap is bent over through at least 165 degrees and yet, riding under the rollers, is in a condition for immediate re-folding in the opposite direction.

The re-folding is accomplished by the member 31 illustrated in Figures 12 to 15 inclusive. This member has a bracket 52 by which it may be attached to the machine frame. It is so positioned as to engage the folded glue lap and reverse it, a configured portion 53 at the end of the member 3! acting to smooth the flap down into its original position sufficiently to permit it to pass under pressure means (not shown) which will hold it against the glue roller 29.

It will be seen that the folding members 36 and 38 of our apparatus are adjustable with the side boards 24 and 25 to positions appropriate for cartons of various sizes, and the reverse folding device 31, the sword 40, the sweeps 39 and 43, and the folding roller 42 of our apparatus.

are mounted on adjustable supports, as usual with folding instrumentalities in standard carton machinery. The operation of our devices is positive and rapid; and they do not slow down the standard folding equipment to which they are applied.

Modification may be made in our invention without departing from the spirit of it. Having thus described our invention in an exemplary embodiment, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: a 1. A process of breaking the scores of tubular cartons which comprises passing the cartons through a folding and gluing machine in which adhesive is applied to the carton glue lap and in which the carton is subsequently folded along, a score line adjacent the wall to which said glue lap is articulated and along a score line adjacent a wall at the opposite end of the carton blank, and including the steps of folding over and reversely folding the said glue lap prior to the application of adhesive thereto, and simultaneously with the application of said adhesive and the folding over of the wall to which said glue lap is articulated at one edge of the blank, fold-. ing and reversely folding the blank on an intermediate score line preparatory to the formation of the final fold for tubing as aforesaid and in which the said folding of the blank on an inte'r-,-

mediate score line is a folding through substantially degrees accomplished while the blank is engaged by hold-down means, and in which the blank during the folding on said intermediate score line is held away from said hold down means and in order to attainthe said angularity of fold is reversely folded on the final fold score line, and in which, simultaneously with the folding and reverse folding of the said glue lap, ears on the closure flaps of the wall at the opposite end of the blank are folded over and then released.

2. In a process of score breaking, the steps of moving a blank in a path and during such movement folding over and reversely folding a glue lap at one edge of the blank and simultaneously folding over and releasing ears on closure flaps articulated to a wall at the opposite edge of said blank.

3. In carton folding and gluing apparatus which includes a feed hopper, means for causing carton blanks to move through a path of travel, means adjacent the feed hopper for applying adhesive to a glue lap, means for folding inwardly a wall to which said glue lap is articulated and subsequent means for folding inwardly an opposite wall, whereby to tube said carton, means intermediate the feed hopper and the adhesive applying means for folding over and then reversely folding said glue lap, and means opposite said adhesive applying means and the means for folding over the said wall to which the glue lap is articulated for folding inwardly and reversely folding a pair of walls at the opposite edge of said blank, said last mentioned means lying between said feed hopper and the means for folding inwardly the said wall at the opposite edge of the blank, and means intermediate the said hopper and the means for folding and reversely folding the pair of walls for folding over and releasing ears on closure flaps articulated to the wall of said blank at the end opposite the glue lap.

4. The structure claimed in claim 3 wherein said feed hopper has side boards and wherein the means for folding said glue lap and for folding said ears are means respectively attached to and supported by said side boards.

5. In a machine of the character described, a feed hopper having side boards at least one of which is adjustable and means for receiving earton blanks from said feed hopper and moving them in a path of travel, and folding means for a glue lap on said blank, said folding means being attached to one of said side boards and adjustable therewith, and acting to fold said glue lap substantially by the time a carton blank is delivered from said feed hopper and fully engaged by said moving means.

6. The combination in a creased carton blank prebreaker having supporting and cooperating superposed carriers acting to move the blank therethrough, of a panel folder and panel opener acting successively to prebreak the center crease and return the panel to open position, and a rotatable disc mounted to engage the panel at the mid-crease and acting to prebreak the midcrease'when, as the panel is folded at the center crease, the outer portion of the panel is prevented from folding.

7. In carton folding and gluing apparatus which includes a feed hopper provided with adjustable sideboards, means for causing carton blanks to move through a path of travel, means adjacent the feed hopper for applying adhesive to a glue lap, means for folding inwardly a wall to which said glue lap is articulated and subsequent means for folding inwardly an opposite wall, whereby to tube said carton, means intermediate the hopper and the adhesive applying means for folding over and then reversely folding said glue lap with the folding over portion of said means attached to and supported by one of said side boards, means opposite said adhesive applying means and the means for folding over the said wall to which the glue lap is articulated for folding inwardly and reversely folding a pair of walls at the opposite edge of said blank, said last mentioned means lying between said feed hopper and the means for folding inwardly the said wall at the opposite edge of the blank.

8. In carton folding and gluing apparatus which includes a feed hopper provided with sideboards, means for causing carton blanks to move through a path of travel, means adjacent the feed hopper for applying adhesive to a glue lap, means for folding inwardly a wall to which said glue lap is articulated and subsequent means for folding inwardly an opposite wall, whereby to tube said carton, means intermediate the feed hopper and the adhesive applying means for folding over and then reversely folding said glue lap, the said means for folding said glue lap including a pair of rollers attached to and supported by one of said sideboards and comprising a member configured to engage and turn said glue lap through a substantial angle beyond the vertical and deliver it beneath said pair of rollers acting to increase the angularity of fold and also comprising a member attached to the first member and terminating short of said rollers for enforcing a folding of said glue lap along its score line, means opposite said adhesive applying means and the means for folding over the said wall to which the glue lap is articulated for folding inwardly and reversely folding a pair of walls at the opposite edge of saidv blank, said last mentioned means lying between said feed hopper and the means for folding inwardly the said wall at the opposite edge of the blank.

9. The structure claimed in claim '7 in which the means for reversely folding said glue lap is a member attached to the frame of said machine, acting to receive said glue lap from said rollers, to bend it reversely and to deliver it to said adhesive applying means.

ELMER AMYX. JOSEPH KRAMER.

References Cited in the flle of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 654,136 Cowles July 24, 1900 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 346,843 Great Britain Apr. 20, 1931 588,750 Germany Dec. 2, 1933 

